PFI calls TN police firing state terrorism, demands judicial investigation

Media Release
May 25, 2018

New Delhi, May 25: Popular Front of India General Secretary M. Mohammed Ali Jinnah in a statement, has condemned  police firing against protesters who were demanding the closure of the Sterlite Copper Unit in Thoothukudi district  of Tamil Nadu and called for a judicial inquiry into the incident that left at least 11 people dead.

“Evidences are emerging that the firing was preplanned and intended to kill protest leaders. People used their democratic right to take out protest rallies. There was no situation that warranted use of force on the part of police. Instead of accepting a genuine and just concern of people over severe  environmental pollution and taking  necessary measures to solve the problem, by using brutal measures and  killing people without even a warning, Tamil Nadu government has illustrated its  anti-people bias. We demand a judicial inquiry into the incident and compensation to the families of the victims. We also demand the permanent closure of the Thoothukkudi Unit of Sterlite Copper which possesses threat to people and environment.”

Criminal inaction by governments on the atrocities on Dalits and Minorities

Mohammed Ali Jinnah has also denounced the culpable silence and inaction of the central and state governments in the background of new incidents of anti-Dalith and anti-Muslim atrocities in the country.

Another round of horrific lynching and killing of Muslims and Dalits are taking place in various parts of the country especially in BJP Ruled states. In latest of the of dozens of Goraksha related atrocities,  On May 17, a man was killed and another left critically injured near Satna in Madhya Pradesh after a mob beat them up on mere “suspicion” of cow slaughter.  Before taking action on the murderers, Madhya Pradesh police has booked the victims for cow slaughter. In another incident on May 21, a Dalit couple was brutally attacked for refusing to clear garbage in Rajkot district of Gujarat. The husband was tied to a pole and beaten to death with metal rods by the mob. It was in last month that in Meerut a Dalit youth was shot dead for participating in Bharath Bandh. A situation has been created that, for Dalits and minorities in country, their very identity is sufficient reason to get publicly killed. He stated that while Central Government and BJP governments in the states continue to protect these communal criminals, it is the duty of the secular forces in the country to build up democratic resistance.

JNU “Islamic terrorism” course bigoted political interference in knowledge production

Popular Front general secretary M. Mohammed Ali Jinnah questioned the relevance and validity of the proposed course on “Islamic Terrorism” approved by Jawaharlal Nehru University Academic Council.

The course to be started by JNU on the controversial subject is part of the project of communalization of education undertaken by Modi government. Ever since present government came to power, they started inferring with education system of the country, replacing history with mythology and mixing superstitions with science. The proposed course links Islam, the religion of nearly 172 million Indians, with terrorism. This is a product of divisive Hindutva ideology and will only create more bias, divide and alienation Muslim minority in the national psyche for years to come. Mohammed Ali Jinnah cautioned that such political interference with knowledge production must be resisted both legally and academically.

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News Network
December 21,2025

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Invoking the teachings of Prophet Muhammad—“pay the worker before his sweat dries”—the Madras High Court has directed a municipal corporation to settle long-pending legal dues owed to a former counsel. The court observed that this principle reflects basic fairness and applies equally to labour and service-related disputes.

Justice G. R. Swaminathan made the observation while hearing a petition filed by advocate P. Thirumalai, who claimed that the Madurai City Municipal Corporation failed to pay him legal fees amounting to ₹13.05 lakh. Earlier, the High Court had asked the corporation to consider his representation. However, a later order rejected a major portion of his claim, prompting the present petition.

The court allowed Thirumalai to approach the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) and submit a list of cases in which he had appeared. It also directed the corporation to settle the verified fee bills within two months, without interest. The court noted that the petitioner had waited nearly 18 years before challenging the non-payment and that the corporation could not be fully blamed, as the fee bills were not submitted properly.

‘A Matter of Embarrassment’

Justice Swaminathan described it as a “matter of embarrassment” that the State has nearly a dozen Additional Advocate Generals. He observed that appointing too many law officers often leads to unnecessary allocation of work and frequent adjournments, as government counsel claim that senior officers are engaged elsewhere.

He expressed hope that such practices would end at least in the Madurai Bench of the High Court and added that Additional Advocate Generals should “turn a new leaf” from 2026 onwards.

‘Scandalously High Amounts’

While stating that the court cannot examine the exact fees paid to senior counsel or law officers, Justice Swaminathan stressed that good governance requires public funds to be used prudently. He expressed concern over the “scandalously high amounts” paid by government and quasi-government bodies to a few favoured law officers.

In contrast, the court noted that Thirumalai’s total claim was “a pittance” considering the large number of cases he had handled.

Background

Thirumalai served as the standing counsel for the Madurai City Municipal Corporation for more than 14 years, from 1992 to 2006. During this period, he represented the corporation in about 818 cases before the Madurai District Courts.

As the former counsel was unable to hire a clerk to obtain certified copies of judgments in all 818 cases, the court directed the District Legal Services Authority to collect the certified copies within two months. The court further ordered the corporation to bear the cost incurred by the DLSA and deduct that amount from the final settlement payable to the petitioner.

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News Network
December 16,2025

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday held talks with Jordan’s King Abdullah II in Amman, during which the two leaders discussed ways to further strengthen bilateral relations, with the Prime Minister outlining an eight-point vision covering key areas of cooperation.

Describing the meeting as “productive”, PM Modi said he shared a roadmap focused on trade and economy, fertilisers and agriculture, information technology, healthcare, infrastructure, critical and strategic minerals, civil nuclear cooperation, and people-to-people ties.

In a post on social media platform X, the Prime Minister praised King Abdullah II’s personal commitment to advancing India–Jordan relations, particularly as both countries mark the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties this year.

“Held productive discussions with His Majesty King Abdullah II in Amman. His personal commitment towards vibrant India-Jordan relations is noteworthy. This year, we are celebrating the 75th anniversary of our bilateral diplomatic relations,” PM Modi said.

The meeting took place at the Al Husseiniya Palace, where the two leaders also exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest. According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), both sides agreed to further deepen cooperation in areas including trade and investment, defence and security, counter-terrorism and de-radicalisation, fertilisers and agriculture, infrastructure, renewable energy, tourism, and heritage.

The MEA said both leaders reaffirmed their united stand against terrorism.

PM Modi arrived in Amman earlier on Monday and was received by Jordanian Prime Minister Jafar Hassan, who accorded him a formal welcome. Following the talks, King Abdullah II hosted a banquet dinner in honour of the Prime Minister, reflecting the warmth of bilateral ties.

Jordan is the first leg of PM Modi’s three-nation tour. From Amman, the Prime Minister will travel to Ethiopia at the invitation of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali, marking his first official visit to the African nation. The tour will conclude with a visit to Oman.

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